Dumping machine



April 1963 A. H. HAYNES ETAL 3,084,818

DUMPING MACHINE Filed Sept. 22, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 [ml/[wraps 4/4654 6! M4 was AT TORNEY Ap 1963 A. H. HAYNES ETAL 3,084,813

DUMPING MACHINE Filed Sept. 22, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY April 1963 A. H. HAYNES ETAL 3,084,318

DUMPING MACHINE Filed Sept. 22, 1959 s Sheets-Sheet s FIGJO FIGH mum mks BY: a

ATTORNEY I St s 3,084,818 Patented Apr. 9, 1963 ice St, Gadsden, Ala.

Fiied Sept. 22, 195?, Ser. No. 841,538 11 Claims. (Cl. 214-398) This invention relates to a dumping machine and is more particularly concerned with a device for successively inverting crates or the like to discharge refuse therefrom and righting the inverted crates to restore them to their original position.

In bottling plants which produce soft drinks and the like, the filled bottles are usually stored upright in crates which receive the empty bottles after the contents of the bottles have been consumed. Usually such crates are placed on the fioor of a building and it is common practice to discard small items into the crates. Dirt and dust also collect in the crates, thus necessitating the cleaning of each crate when it is reused.

Most soft drink companies employ at least two types of crates, each having approximately the same outside dimensions. One type of crate is provided with partitions defining spaces for receiving the individual bottles and the other type of crate is provided with fewer partitions defining larger spaces for receiving paper cartons containing a given number, usually six, bottles. The paper cartons, if in satisfactory condition, are reusable. Thus, the usual practice in plants is to remove the empty bottles from the cartons, replacing these with filled bottles as the cartons remain in the crate. In either event some means must be employed to remove the loose accumulation of trash from the interior of both the crate and the carton.

In the process of handling the crates in a plant, the crates are customarily transported by conveyor in single file fashion to a station where the empty bottles are removed, thence to a station where the refuse or trash is removed from the crate and thereafter to a station where the crates are refilled. Thus it is seen that it is highly desirable to provide a machine which will receive the crates in single file, invert each received crate so as to discharge the contents of the crates while retaining the cartons in position in the crates, and thereafter right each crate. To be effective, such a mechanism must operate at the same or a predetermined fraction of the speed at which the entire plant is operating so that a crate will be available for each twenty four bottles filled.

The present invention has been devised to fill this need. Briefly, the present invention includes a pair of spaced aligned conveyors capable of transporting in single file fashion the empty crates. Between the conveyors is a space over which each successive crate is inverted so that the trash or refuse is discharged therefrom. Means are provided in this space so that the cartons will not be discharged from the crates [but will be retained in place therein. Each crate as it reaches a predetermined position on the infeed conveyor is engaged between a pair of arms and lifted by its rear portion over a stop with suflicient momentum that the crate is deposited upside down on the supports over the central opening. As the next crate is inverted in like fashion, the crate on the supports is again engaged by a subsequent pair of arms, synchronized with the first pair of arms and restored to its original position on the outfeed conveyor.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a dumping device which will automatically dump trash and other loose refuse from successive open containers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dumping machine which is inexpensive to manufacture,

durable in structure and efficient in operation, being well suited for long periods of essentially an uninterrupted operation with a minimum of attention.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dumping machine which is adapted for operation in a conveyor system and will maintain within reasonable limits a sequence of operation so as to supply at a predetermined rate the dumped containers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dumping machine which will automatically limit thev infeed of articles to be dumped so that the container which is being dumped will be removed from the dumping position before a subsequent container is fed thereto and so that an oversupply of containers to the machine will not hinder the operation of the machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dumping machine which is actuated by the infeed of containers to be dumped and which is essentially inactive until so actuated.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dumping machine which occupies a minimum amount of floor space, is easily and quickly installed, and operates on conventional power sources found in most plants, the mechanism being suitable for installation on a conventional floor without the necessity of unusual subflooring structure.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a dumping machine constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of one side of the dumping machine shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the other side of the dumping machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 1'.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view of a detail of the dumping machine shown in FIG. 1, and showing the operation of the stop mechanism thereof.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one of the lifting finger assemblies of the righting levers of the machine shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one of the lifting finger assemblies of the inverting levers of the machine shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a schematic side elevation similar to FIG. 2 and showing the machine of the present invention in its initial position for receiving the first container to be dumped.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 and showing the first container immediately prior to being dumped.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIGS. 8 and 9 showing the first container in an inverted position and a second container in a position for actuation of the machine.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, and showing the first container immediately prior to being righted and the second container immediately prior to being inverted.

Referring now in detail to the embodiment chosen for the purpose of illustrating the present invention, it being understood that the drawings illustrate but the preferred embodiment thereof and are not to be considered as limiting the present invention to the exact details therein disclosed, numeral 20 denotes the upright standards by which the frame of the dumping machine is supported at a convenient elevation in a horizontal position above the floor of the plant. The frame includes a pair of spaced, parallel, outwardly opening, longitudinal channel members 21 and 22, thewebs of which are in Vertical planes. The forward ends of members 21 and 22 are joined-by a transverse chaririel member 23 which, as best seen in FIG. 4, opens inwardly. Extending between the intermediate portions of cliannel members 21 and 22 are transverse ribs 24" and 25' whichfdr cbnve'nience may also be made from channel members. Thus it is seen that a rigid rectangular metal frame is provided which is anchored to the floor The containers, such as crates 26 and 27, are fed in single file fashion from right to left in all figures of the drawings except FIG. 3 and, as will be pointed out in more detail later,the successive crates are received in the right hand portion of the machine in an upright position, are inverted to an upside down position in the central portion of the machine and are restored to their upright position in the left hand portion of the machine. Usually the. machine of the present invention is installed between the ends of two aligned conveyors so that a succession of crates is fed to and from the machine.

A pair of spaced roller supporting brackets 28, 28' extend outwardly from the web portion of transverse member 23 and support therebetween a shaft 29 carrying for rotation an idler roller 39. A similar idler roller 31, having a shaft 32 supported by brackets 33, 33 is provided below and rearwardly of roller 30. The brackets 33, 33 project downwardly from the longitudinal members 21 and 22.

The drive roller 34 is arranged somewhat centrally of the machine and is fixed to a transverse drive shaft 35 journaled by a longitudinal members 21 and 22. Outwardly of longitudinal member 21, the shaft 35 is provided with a sprocket 36, seen in FIG. 3, by means of which roller 34 is rotated.

Between the drive roller 35 and the idler roller 30 is a fiat slide plate 37 which at its forward end is supported by and overhangs the transverse member 23. A pair of spaced continuous infeed conveyor belts 38, 38 pass around idler rollers 30, 31 and drive roller 34, extending over the upper surface of slide plate 37. The roller 34 is rotated continuously by mechanism to be described hereinafter so that the containers received on the upper flight of belts 38, 38 will be conveyed inwardly of the machine along the upper surface of slide plate 37.

For guiding the incoming articles, the edges of slide plate 37 are provided with upstanding longitudinally extending guide members 39, 39 which are spaced from each other in parallel vertical planes inwardly of the longitudinal members 21 and 22. The guide members 39, 39 project longitudinally inwardly beyond roller 34 and are bent outwardly to provide flanges 4t), 40 extending over and secured to the upper surfaces of longitudinal members 21 and 22. The lower edge portions of flanges 40, 40' are formed with forwardly turned plates 41, 41' which provide additional supporting area. I

Above the roller 34, opposed inwardly extending container receiving plates 42, 42' project from the lower edge of those portions of the guide members 39, 39" which extend beyond the slide plate 37. It will be observed from FIGS. 1 and 4 that forwardly of the receiving plates 42, 42' and adjacent guide members 39, 39 are a pair of spaced upstanding stops 43, 43 so mounted on slide plate 37 as to be engaged by the front edge of the first incom ing crate. The upper surface of stops 43, 43 slope rearwardly providing inclined surfaces, such as surface 44 in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Between the stops 43, 43 and extending forwardly therebeyond is a central slot 45 in the slide plate 37. A valve control lever 46 projects through the slot 45 so that each incoming crate first engages the lever 46 urging it rearwardly and then engages the stops 43, 43. The control lever 46 is pivotally mounted on a supporting arm 47 carried by a brace 48 depending from the lower surface of slide plate 37. Adjacent the brace 48 and also supported .adjacent the ends of levers 7t),

4 by the slide plate 37 is a compressed air valve 49 provided with a control rod 50 connected to lever 46.

When the lever 46 is urged rearwardly by the incoming. crate, the lever 46 urges control rod 50 rearwardly, there-'- by opening valve 49 which, as will be described herein after, actuates the levers which invert the crates.

Forwardly of the lever 46 and aligned with the stops 43, 43 are a pair of arresting fingers 51, 51, the function of which are to arrest the inward travel of the second and subsequent crates until the first crate has been inverted. These fingers 51, 51' are L-shaped rods, each being hingedly connected by means of a pivot pin 52 to the lower surface of slide plate 37, as shown in FIG. 5. Each finger,

such as finger 51, projects rearwardly and then upwardly being adapted to project through an aperture, such as aperture 53, in slide plate 37. Projecting downwardly from each finger 51, 51' is an actuating arm 54 rigidly connected thereto. A spring 55 extending from the lower surface of slide plate 37 to the lower end of actuating arm- 54 urges the arm 54 upwardly, thereby urging the finger" 51 into the position shown by broken lines in FIG. 5.: Thus, unless the fingers 51, 51' are urged dowirwardly,- they would be in positions to arrest the travel of the in coming crates. Projecting outwardly from the actuating arms, such as arm 54, are rollers, such as roller 56, which extend beyond and beneath the guide members 39, 39".

Located between the drive roller 34 and the lever 46in a transverse shaft 57 journaled by the longitudinal mem-' bers 21 and 22. Outwardly of longitudinal member 21, the transverse shaft 57, as seen in FIG. 3, is connected to one end of a lever 58, the intermediate portion of the lever being provided with a right angularly projecting arm 59. The outward end of arm 53 is pivotally connect ed to a piston rod 69 of a single acting air cylinder 61 which, in turn, is pivotally connected to a plate 62 projecting from the forward portion of longitudinal member 21. Thus, upon actuation of the cylinder 61, shaft 57 is rocked in the direction of travel of the crates.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, and as also illustrated diagrammatically in FIGS. 8 through 11, the shaft 57 is provided with a pair of aligned, inverting lever 70, 70 which project forwardly over the rollers, such as roller 56, and terminate adjacent the transverse member 23. The levers 7 t), 70 are so spaced apart that upon rotation of shaft 57, the levers 70, 7t) move in the spaces between guide members 39, 39" and longitudinal members 21, 22 to a position slightly beyond the vertical, engaging, the stops 71, 71 which protrude from guide members 39, 39'. When the levers 70, 70' are returned to their normal position, they engage rollers, such as roller 56, and urge the fingers 51, 51' downwardly. The downward movement of levers 70, 70' is limited by resilient stops, such as stop 63, which rests on a transverse bar 64 supported between longitudinal members 21 and 22.

For returning the lever 46 to its normal position as levers 74 70' move upwardly, shaft 57 is provided with an offset lever engaging cam 72, seen in FIG. 4, which, as shaft 57 is rotated, engages lever 46 and urges it to close valve 49.

As best seen in FIG. 1, the slide plate 37 is recessed to provide opposed, inwardly projecting opening 73, 73 The guide members 39, 39 are provided with arcuate openings 74, 74' communicating with openings 73, 73 respectively. Levers 70, 76? are provided with inwardly extending, crate engaging fingers 75, 75 which are adapted to pass through the openings 73, 73' and along the openings 74, 74 as the levers 70, '70 are actuated. The distance between the stops 43, 43' and the fingers 75, 75' as measured along the slide plate 37 is slightly less than the length of the crate to be inverted. Thus, upon actuation of the levers 70, 70, the fingers 75 75 engage the rear bottom surface of the first crate on the slide plate 37 The finger assemblies of fingers 75, 75' are complementary and, as is shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the finger 75 is provided at its central portion with a sleeve 76 through which projects a pivot pin 77 supported at the lower end of a plate 78. The plates, such as plate 78, are secured to the ends of levers 70, 70. Projecting inwardly from plate 78 is a bumper pad 79 formed of resilient material, such as rubber. The function of the plates and pads, such as plate 78 and pad 79, is to pass outwardly adjacent the sides of the crate as the fingers 75, 75' engage the bottom of the crate and prevent any appreciable lateral movement of the crate.

It will be observed that there is sufiicient width to lower surfaces of levers 70, 70 for the portions of the fingers 75, 75' outwardly of the pivot pins, such as pin 77, to engage these surfaces and thereby prevent rotation downwardly of fingers 75fi, 75 about the pivot pins as the crate is lifted. On the downward travel of the levers 70, 70, the fingers 75, 75, however, will pivot about the pivot pins as they pass and engage the incoming crate on slide plate 37.

Referring now to the outfeed portion of the machine, it Will be seen that trere is a second slide plate 30, supported by transverse ribs 24 and 25. This slide plate 80 is in essentially the same plane with slide plate 37 and is provided with guide members 81, 81' respectively in the same vertical planes with guide members 39, 39. Container receiving plates 82, 82, similar to plates 42, 42' extend forwardly from opposite sides of slide plate 80. The receiving plates 82, 82 and 42, 42' are so spaced apart as to receive and retain the corners of a crate when the crate is inverted in the central portion of the machine.

To prevent the crate from sliding out of position on plates 42, 42' 32, 82', an angle iron 83 is welded across the plates 82, 82'. The upstanding flange of angle iron 83 forms a stop for the end of the crate.

Journaled by the rear ends of longitudinal members 21 and 22 is a transverse drive shaft 84 provided, outwardly of member 22, with a sprocket S5 and, outwardly of member 21, with a sprocket 86. A motor 37 mounted on member 22 drives through a reduction gear 38 and chain 89, the sprocket 85 thereby rotating shaft 84. Between and below the slide plate 80 and angle iron 83 is a transverse shaft 90 which is journaled by longitudinal members 21 and 22. Outwardly of member 21, the shaft 90 is provided with a pair of sprockets 91 and 92. A chain 93 extends between sprockets 86 and 91 and another chain 94 extends between sprocket 92 and sprocket 36. Thus, the motor 8''! drives shafts 84, 90 and 35 at the same rotational speed.

On the shafts 84 and 90 are drums 95 and 96, the upper peripheries of which are about aligned with the upper surface of slide plate 80. A pair of spaced continuous outfeed belts 97, 97' extend around the drums 95 and 96 and over the surface of slide plate 80. The function of the belts 97, 97 is to discharge the righted crates.

Referring now to the central portion of the machine, it will be seen that in front of the drum 96 is a lever shaft 100 journaled by members 21 and 22. Outwardly of member 21 the shaft 100 is provided with a down wardly and rearwardly projecting lever 101, best seen in FIG. 3. A link 102 pivotally connected to the ends of levers 58 and 101 joins the two together. Thus both levers 58 and 101 will pivot simultaneously upon actuation of cylinder 61.

Within the confines of longitudinal members 21 and 22, the shaft 100 is provided with a pair of forwardly extending crate righting levers 103, 103' which are respectively aligned with levers 70, 70' in their normal positions. These levers 103, 103 are also adapted to pivot from a horizontal position to a position slightly beyond their vertical where they engage stops 99, 99 on the guide members 31, 81'. In their normal position, the levers 103, 103 terminate short of the plates 41, 41.

At the ends of levers 103 ,103 there are provided lifting platforms 104, 104 which are pivotally supported by lifting fingers such as finger 105 in FIG. 6. The finger assembly including finger 105, sleeve 106, pivot pin 107, plate 108 and bumper pad 109 is identical in construction to the finger 75, sleeve 76, pivot pin 77, plate 78 and bumper pad 79 and thus do not require additional description. The elements 105, 106, 107, 108' and 109 of the finger assembly are secured in place on the lever 103 in the same manner as their complementary elements on lever 70.

On the levers 103, 103, however, there are additional finger assemblies intermediate the ends of the levers 103, 103 and include lifting platforms 110, 110'. The lifting platforms 104, 104', 110, 110 are sufficiently large and so spaced apart as to engage the edges of all of the paper cartons in the crate and thereby prevent the cartons from falling from the crates when the crates are in a dumping position.

To assist the lifting platform 104, 104', 110, 110, coil springs 1'11, 111 are stretched across the central open ing as shown in FIG. 1. These springs 111, 111 are carried by and pass transversely between blocks 112 secured to the inside surfaces of longitudinal members 21 and 22, the springs 111, 111 being spaced downwardly from the normal position of the platforms 104, 104', 110, 110' so as to be engaged by the top edges of the carrying handles :of the cartons. The blocks 112 also serve the function of limiting the downward travel of levers 103, 103.

When the machine is installed, compressed air is supplied by line 113 through a strainer 114, a main valve 115 and a second strainer 116 to the control valve 49. From the control valve 49 the air is fed through conduit 117 to the cylinder 61. When valve 49 is closed, the conduit 117 is opened to the atmosphere and when valve 49 is opened, the conduit 117 is connected to the compressed air, provided valve 115 is also opened.

Operation With the machine of the present invention installed in a plant, crates such as crates 26 and 27 are fed successively to the belts 38, 38 from a conveyor (not shown). When it is desired to operate the machine, the motor 87 is energized and the valve 115 is opened. Thus shafts 84, 90 and 35 are caused to rotate and air is supplied to valve 49. The rotation of shafts 84, 90 and 35 causes the belts 38, 38', 97, 97 to be driven from right to left in FIG. 1. Belts 38, 38 therefore move the line of crates inwardly in single file fashion where the first crate 26 engages lever 46 urging it rearwardly and thereafter engages stops 43, '43 which prevent the further travel of the crate. At this stage of the cycle the machine is in the condition shown in FIG. 8.

When the lever 46 is moved rearwardly, it opens valve 49, thereby admitting air through conduit 117 to cylinder 61. As the air enters cylinder 61 the piston rod 60 is withdrawn within cylinder 61, causing the lever 58 to pivot in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3. Also, lever 101 is moved in a clockwise direction because it is linked to lever 58. This causes both shaft 57 and shaft 100 to be rotated slightly more than a quadrant.

As the shafts 57 and 100 begin to rotate, the fingers 75, '75 of levers 70, 70' pass through openings 73, 73" and engage the rear bottom surface of crate 26 adjacent the rear corners of the crate 26, lifting the same in an arcuate path to pivot crate 26 about stops. 43, 4-3. At this stage the machine is essentially in the condition shown in FIG. 9, the pointed upper edges of stops 43, 43' being engaged by the midportion of the front side of crate 26.

As the levers 70 7 0 approach the limit of their travel, lifting the crate 26 clear of lever 46-, cam T2 engages lever 46 returning the lever to its original position. It will be noted, however, that the second crate 27 is prevented from engaging lever 46 beacuse the levers 70, 70 are no longer urging the rollers such as roller 56 downwardly and the spring 55 has urged the arresting fingers 51, 5'1

to the position shoWn in broken lines in FIG. 5.

As the levers '70, 70', 103, 193" approach their respective stops 71, 71', 99, 99', sufiicient momentum will have been imparted to the crate 26 to rotate it about the top edge of stops 43, 43- beyond the vertical plane of the restrained front portion and deposit the crate 26 upside down on the plates 42, 42, 82', 82 thereby discharging the losse dirt and refuse from the crate 26 through the central opening of the machine.

If cartons are Within the crate 26, the outer edges of the cartons engage the lifting platforms 19-1, 1%, 110,- l-ltl' and the upper edges of the handles of the cartons engage the springs 111, 111 thereby preventing the cartons from being discharged from the crate 26.

When the levers 7t}, 70', 103, 103' have reached the limit of their travel and the lever 46 Will have been returned by cam 72 to its original position closing valve 49. Thus, conduit 117 is opened to atmosphere by valve 49 and'compressed air return of the cylinder 61 and the weight of levers 70, 70', 163, 103' return the levers totheir original position. As the levers 70, 70 return, the fingers 75, 75' pivot about thier pivot pins as they pass the incoming crate 2-7 and, as the levers 70, 70 approach their normal position, they again engage the rollers, such as roller 56 withdrawing the fingers 51, 51' below the apertures, such as aperture 53. This permits the belts 38, 38' to carry crate 27 against lever 46 and stops 43, 43'. This phase of the cycle is illustrated in FIG. 10.

The engaging of lever 46 by crate 27 commences the phase of the cycle of lifting the rear edge of the crate as previously described; however, since the crate 26 is resting upon the plates 42, 42', 82, 82 the lifting platforms 1%, 104', 110, 110' lift the crate 26 as the crate 27 is being lifted by the levers 70, 70. This condition is illustrated by FIG. 11.

As the levers 103, 1% carry crate 26, pivoting it about by its forward end, which is engaged by the angle iron 83-, the levers 103, 103 approach stops 99, 9' and the momentum of crate 26 pivots the crate to a righted position on the slide plate 80 where the belts 97, 97' discharge crate 26. On the return stroke of levers ms, 103' their finger assemblies pivot upwardly while passing the sides of crate 27 which is now in the central portion of.

the machine.

The operation of the machine continues in this fashion until shut off. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many variations may be made in the embodiment chosen for the purpose of illustrating the present invention without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A dumping machine comprising a horizontal frame, endless infeed conveying means on said frame for feeding containers in single file fashion inwardly of said frame, outfeed conveyor means on said frame for discharging said containers in single file fashion, said infeed conveyor means and said outfeed conveyor means being aligned with each other, the inner ends of said conveyor means being spaced from each other to provide a central opening through which refuse from said containers is discharged, stop means fixed on said frame adjacent the inner end of said infeed conveyor means and engageable by the front portion of the first container on said infeed convey-or means for arresting the travel of said first container on said infeed conveyor means, inverting means actuated by the inward movement of said first container for lifting the rear portion of said first container in an arcuate path about its arrested front portion to urge said rear portion beyond the vertical plane of said stop means such that said container drops in an inverted position over said central opening, means below the plane of said infeed conveyor means and in said central opening for receiving said container in its inverted position, means for returning said inverted first container to its righted position on said outfeed conveyor means, and means for actuatng said conveyor means.

2. A dumping machine comprising a horizontal frame, infeed conveying means on said frame for feeding containers in single file fashion inwardly of said frame, outfeed conveyor means on said frame for discharging said containers in single file fashion, said infeed conveyor means and said outfeed conveyor means being aligned with each other, the inner ends of said conveyor means being spaced from each other to provide a central opening through which refuse from said containers is discharged, stop means fixed on said frame adjacent the inner end of said infeed conveyor means and engageable by the front portion of the first container on said infeed conveyor means for arresting the travel of said first container on said infeed conveyor means, and inverting levers pivotally mounted on a transverse axis below said infeed conveyor means outwardly of said infeed conveyor and actuated by the inward movement of said first container for lifting the rear portion of said first container in an arcua-te path about its arrested front portion to urge said rear portion beyond the vertical plane of said stop means such that said container drops in an inverted position over said central opening.

3. In a dumping machine comprising a horizontal frame, endless belt infeed conveying means on said frame for feeding containers in a single file fashion inwardly of said frame, endless belt outfeed conveyor means on said frame for discharging said containers in single file fashion, said infeed conveyor means and said outfeed conveyor means being aligned with each other and having their upper flights in essentially the same horizontal plane, the inner ends of said conveyor means being spaced from each other to provide a central opening through which refuse from said containers is discharged, stop means adjacent the inner end of said infeed conveyor means and engageable by the front portion of the first container on said conveyor means for arresting the travel of said first container on said infeed conveyor mean-s, inverting means actuated by the inward movement of said first container for lifting the rear portion of said first container in an arcuate path about its arrested front portion to urge said rear portion beyond the vertical plane of said stop means such that said container drops in an inverted position over said central opening, means for supporting by its corners said first container in its inverted position over said central opening and means for transferring said first container in an arcuate path from said means for supporting the same to said outfeed conveyor means.

4. A dumping machine comprising a horizontal frame, infeed conveying means on said frame for feeding containers in single file fashion inwardly of said frame, there being provided a central opening beyond the inner end of said infeed conveyor in said frame through which refuse from said containers is discharged, stop means fixed on said frame adjacent the inner end of said infeed conveyor means and engageable by the front portion of the first container on said conveyor for arresting the travel of said first container on said infeed conveyor means, inverting means actuated by the inward movement of said first container and having opposed inwardly protruding finger for lifting the rear portion of said first container in an arcuate path about its arrested front portion and dropping it in an inverted position over said central opening, means for returning said inverted first container to its righted position, and means for actuating said conveyor mean-s.

5. In a dumping machine, a frame, an infeed conveyor on said frame for carrying containers to be inverted, a pair of spaced levers carried by said frame outwardly of said infeed conveyor, stop means on said frame in the path of the containers on said conveyor, power means for simultaneouisly actuating said levers to move the same in an arcuate path adjacent said conveyor, opposed inwardly protruding fingers on said levers engageable with spasms the bottom of a container on said conveyor for lifting only the rear portion of said container and pivoting said rear portion about the front portion of said container as said front portion remains on said conveyor to invert said container, and means actuated by the feed of said containers along said conveyor for actuating said power means.

6. In a dumping machine, a frame, an infeed conveyor on said frame for carrying containers to be inverted, a pair of spaced levers carried by said frame, stop means on said frame in the path of the containers on said conveyor, power means for simultaneously actuating said levers to move the same in an .arcuate path adjacent said conveyor, means on said levers engageable with a container on said conveyor for lifting only the rear portion of said container and pivoting said rear portion about the front portion of said container as said front portion remains on said conveyor to invert said container, means actuated by the feed of said containers along said conveyor for actuating said power means, means below the plane of said infeed conveyor means and in said central opening for receiving said container in its inverted position, and cam means connected to said levers for deactuating said power means.

7. In a dumping machine, a frame, an infeed conveyor on said frame for carrying containers to be inverted, a pair of spaced levers carried by said frame, said frame being provided with a space at the end of said infeed conveyor, stop means on said frame in the path of the containers on said conveyor, power means for actuating said levers to move the same in an arcuate path adjacent said conveyor, means on said levers engageable with a container on said conveyor for lifting only the rear portion of said container and pivoting said rear portion about the front portion of said container as said front portion remains on said conveyor to invert said container, means actuated by the feed of said containers along said conveyor for actuating said power means, means in said space and below the efiective plane of said infeed conveyor for receiving said inverted container, an outfeed conveyor spaced from said infeed conveyor and levers protruding into said space and engageable on opposite sides of said inverted container for righting said inverted container and depositing the same on said outfeed conveyor.

8. In a dumping machine, a frame, an infeed conveyor on said frame for carrying containers to be inverted, a pair of spaced levers carried by said frame, stop means on said frame in the path of the containers on said conveyor, power means for actuating said levers to move the same in an arcuate path adjacent said conveyor, opposed inwardly protruding fingers on said levers engageable with a container on said conveyor for lifting the rear portion of said container and pivoting said rear portion about the front portion of said container to invert said container, means actuated by the feed of said containers along said conveyor for actuating said power means, means on said frame for receiving and retaining said inverted container in an essentially stationary position, an ou'tfeed conveyor spaced from said infeed conveyor, levers engageable with said inverted container in its stationary position for righting said inverted container and depositing the same on said ou-tfeed conveyor, and links joining the aforesaid levers for simultaneous operation.

9. In a dumping machine, a frame, an infeed converyor on said frame for carrying containers in single file fash ion to a position to be inverted, a pair of spaced levers carried by said frame, stop means on said frame in the path of the containers on said conveyor, power means for actuating said levers to move the same in an arcuate path adjacent said conveyor, means on said levers engageable with a container on said conveyor for lifting the rear portion of said container and pivoting said rear portion about the front portion of said container to invert said container, means actuated by the feed of said containers along said conveyor for actuating said power means, and means actuated by the movement of said levers for preventing the movement of subsequent containers on said infeed conveyor during the period said container is being inverted.

10. A dumping machine comprising a horizontal frame, infeed conveying means arranged longitudinally on said frame for feeding containers having cartons therein in single file fashion inwardly of said frame, outfeed conveyor means on said frame for discharging said containers in single file fashion, said infeed conveyor means and said outfeed conveyor means being aligned with each other, the inner ends of said conveyor means being spaced from each other to define a central opening through which refuse from said containers is discharged, carton supporting means disposed transversely in said opening, stop means adjacent the inner end of said infeed conveyor means and engageable by the front portion of the first container on said infeed conveyor means for arresting the travel of said firs-t container on said infeed conveyor means, inverting means actuated by the inward movement of said first container for lifting the rear portion of said first container in an arcuate path about its arrest front portion to urge said rear portion beyond the vertical plane of said stop means such that said container drops in an inverted position over said central opening with its carton-s engaging said carton supporting means, means for returning said inverted first container to its righted position on said outfeed conveyor means, and means for actuating said convey-or means.

fll. A dumping machine com-prising a horizontal frame, infeed conveying means arranged longitudinally on said frame for feeding containers having cartons therein in sing-1e file fashion inwardly of said frame, outfeed conveyor means on said frame for discharging said containers in single file fashion, said infeed conveyor means and said outfeed conveyor means being aligned with each other, the inner ends of said conveyor means being spaced from each other to define a central opening through which refuse from said containers is discharged, carton supporting means disposed transversely in said opening, container supporting means disposed within said opening above said carton supporting means, stop means adjacent the inner end of said infeed conveyor means and engageable by the front portion of the first container on said infeed conveyor means for arresting the travel of said first container on said infeed conveyor means, inverting means actuated by the inward movement of said first container for lifting the rear portion of said first container in an arcuate path about its arrested front portion to urge said rear portion beyond the vertical plane of said stop means such that said container drops in an inverted position over said central opening and is received on said container supporting means with its cartons engaging said carton supporting means, means for returning said inverted first container to its righted position on said outfeed conveyor means, and means for actuating said conveyor means.

References fitted in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,295,195 Parker Feb. 25, 1919 1,828,909 Peterson Oct. 27, 1931 2,583,490 Orlando Jan. 22, 1952 2,593,119 Davis Apr. 15, 1952 2,832,090 Ross Apr. 29, 1958 2,934,219 Stumpf Apr. 26, 11960 FOREIGN PATENTS 508,254 Great Britain June 28, 1939 

1. A DUMPING MACHINE COMPRISING A HORIZONTAL FRAME, ENDLESS INFEED CONVEYING MEANS ON SAID FRAME FOR FEEDING CONTAINERS IN SINGLE FILE FASHION INWARDLY OF SAID FRAME, OUTFEED CONVEYOR MEANS ON SAID FRAME FOR DISCHARGING SAID CONTAINERS IN SINGLE FILE FASHION, SAID INFEED CONVEYOR MEANS AND SAID OUTFEED CONVEYOR MEANS BEING ALIGNED WITH EACH OTHER, THE INNER ENDS OF SAID CONVEYOR MEANS BEING SPACED FROM EACH OTHER TO PROVIDE A CENTRAL OPENING THROUGH WHICH REFUSE FROM SAID CONTAINER IS DISCHARGED, STOP MEANS FIXED ON SAID FRAME ADJACENT THE INNER END OF SAID INFEED CONVEYOR MEANS AND ENGAGEABLE BY THE FRONT PORTION OF THE FIRST CONTAINER ON SAID INFEED CONVEYOR MEANS FOR ARRESTING THE TRAVEL OF SAID FIRST CONTAINER ON SAID INFEED CONVEYOR MEANS, INVERTING MEANS ACTUATED BY THE INWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID FIRST CONTAINER FOR LIFTING THE REAR PORTION OF SAID FIRST CONTAINER IN AN ARCUATE PATH ABOUT ITS ARRESTED FRONT PORTION TO URGE SAID REAR PORTION BEYOND THE VERTICAL PLANE OF SAID STOP MEANS SUCH THAT SAID CONTAINER DROPS IN AN INVERTED POSITION OVER SAID CENTRAL OPENING, MEANS BELOW THE PLANE OF SAID INFEED CONVEYOR MEANS AND IN SAID CENTRAL OPENING FOR RECEIVING SAID CONTAINER IN ITS INVERTED POSITION, MEANS FOR RETURNING SAID INVERTED FIRST CONTAINER TO ITS RIGHTED POSITION ON SAID OUTFEED CONVEYOR MEANS, AND MEANS FOR ACTUATING SAID CONVEYOR MEANS. 